Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-02-04

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We watched the staga coach coming
slowly up the hill in some trepidation
OF spirit means Trixy and +
4 twin sisters, as like as two peas. and
full of pranks as kittens, so mamma
said OF US. III ST g>eT y. ...s
% Mamma, Trixy, and I lived at Rose
Lodge,iu beautiful Devonshire; and in
the coach, approaching nearer every
moment, was our cousin Huldah--our
dead fathers dead sisters only child;
who, at mammals request, had been
permitted by her guardian to make
her home with us.
II wonder if we shall like her?"
unused Trixy, alluding to our unknown
cousin, whom we had never seen.
"Of course you will" said mamma,
coming that moment on the veranda.
II am prepared to love her already"
"But will she like us?'! asked I,
wondering at the likes and dislikes Of
people in general, and OF relatives and
those Of kindred blood in particular.
"How could she do otherwise?"
laughed Trixy. care not we three the
invincibles, VINO, like what was his
name-came, saw, and conquered"
Just then the coach halted in front
OF the lodge gate, and q tall, pale.faced
lady, clad in the deepest mourning,
alighted. Mamma moved gracefully
forward and greeted the stranger with
kindly warmth. "Comegirls welcome
your cousin" said she, seeing we hes
itated. "Huldah, those are my
daughters, Trixy and Flora. I hope
you will be good friends"
I, more timid than my twin sister,
still waited, not knowing quite what
to say; but Trixy ran up with arms
outstretched, and embracing the new.
found cousin, kissed her on either
cheek.
"Huldah," she exclaimed, 'for pa
pa'ssake mammal loves y ou dearly, but
Flora and I will love you for yourself,
and we hope you will like us little,
too!' she appealed.
'"That l shall, truly" she replied,
putting back the rings OF hair, and re-
turning the kisses warmly. Then
turning to mamma: "Auntie, am
grateful Tor the kind welcome you
have given me-
We all entered the house together,
and Trixy and escorted our cousin
to her room, where we assisted her in
preparing a toilet for the evening.
Later, as we girls sat with mamma,
having last confidential chat before
retiring for the night, we discussed the
new arrival that would now form one
of the home circle.
"What lovely hair she has!" said I.
"Why, mamma, when she uncoiled it.
it fell around her like veil, and
begged to brush and dress it,"
"What magnificent eyes!" said
Trixy.
eyes," answered mamma, "they at-
tracted me at sight. Large, full, and
lustrous but with depth OF sadness
there we seldom see. Girls, your
cousin Huldah has history, but un-
less she chooses to offer confidence
do not annoy her by questioning"
And we promised obedience. From
her first appearing the ''three irwin
cibles," as Trixy has called us, were
conquered. Sweet, winsome, and az
fectionate she proved; laughing at
Trixy's oddities and drolleries, re.
turning the love and caresses we Law
ished upon her, with tenderness and
feeling, yet not a word escaped her
to enlighten us in regard to the sad
ness we all knew fingered around her,
even in her merriest moments.
After she had been with us a. while
her guardian came to see her-her
mothers. brother-a short, plethoric
man with irascible temper and who
created quite an unfavorable opinion
in the minds of the "three." who re-
sisted Indignantly the disposition II
manifested towards his niece.
II wish TO speak to my ward alone,
Mrs. Winthrop" he said to mamma
the evening before his departure.
VERY we'll, Mr.. Markton," mamma
rejoined. "Huldah is in her room.
Wait in the library, please, and will
request her attendance"
Trixy flew up stairs 10 seek the tru.
ant.
1.-THE ogre is waiting for you in the
library, mamma SAID" Then wind
ing her arms around her as they came
down thestairway together: "Remem-
Der, cousin mine, it the guardy is too
severe the three-meaning mamma
and the twins-are in the room ad.
joining Hyou need assistance just
call, for we are equal to q whole army,
yon know"
ethan you, Trixy dear, for your
good intention, but l prefer fighting
my own battles"
For two hours we waited for the con.
ference to be over. Sometimes we
heard Mr.. Markton's voice, loud and
angry, but did not understand the
words spoken; again We heard him
crossing and recrossiug the floor as il
too excited to sit still; and anon HUI
dah's voice reached us, always low,
firm, and decided.
Finally Mr.. Markton came into our
presence, and wishing mamma q good.
bye said he would leave for home on
the first train. Later Hulda entered
also, but mamma, seeing the signs OF
unusual excitement, signed for us to
be still, for the lustrous eyes glittered
with unshed tears, and the, lips, try
ing to bravely smile, quivered tremu-
lousy. Trixy, disobeying the silent
command, asked Id :
Arc there any slain after the bat
tie, dearie?" ~ Il .$5 - s n y IA
To our surprise Huldah sank into
the nearest chair, breathing rather